Tips for Climbing Corno Grande, the Top of the Apennines
The highest mountain in the Apennines is Corno Grande, standing at 2912 meters. In the summer of 2022, we hiked to the summit. In this article, we share our route and tips for climbing Corno Grande. You can also find our route on our Google Maps travel guide Italy.
Driving Route to the Trailhead
The drive to the trailhead starts from the ‘Gran Sasso’ tourist center. This scenic route is about 26 kilometers long, taking you through winding mountain roads, with breathtaking views of the valleys and surrounding peaks. As you ascend, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and snap some amazing photos, especially with the occasional cows crossing the road!
Starting Point of the Corno Grande Hike
A great starting point for the Corno Grande hike is near the Campo Imperatore hotel, where there is a large parking area (free parking as of August 2022). Next to the parking lot, you’ll find a restaurant with a toilet, where we grabbed a coffee to warm up. It can be quite chilly here due to the wind, so be prepared for that.
The Route to the Summit
The route from the Campo Imperatore hotel is well-marked, but you can also find the route on our itinerary for guidance. The first part of the hike is a steep climb along a wide gravel path. From there, you’ll reach a lovely viewpoint where you can choose from several different trails. The path continues as a narrow trail along the ridge of the mountain. After following this path for some time, you’ll reach a section where the trail steepens again. This is a good spot to take a break. From here, it’s not far to the summit, but the final section requires some scrambling with your hands and feet. Once you reach the top, you should be rewarded with stunning views. Unfortunately, we had the bad luck of being completely surrounded by clouds when we reached the summit.
General Information About the Corno Grande Hike
The summit of Corno Grande is over 2900 meters high, so be prepared for quick weather changes. At the start of the hike, we found it quite chilly and had to layer up in warm clothing. However, by the time we reached the halfway point, the sun came out, and we were able to remove our sweaters.
The hike itself can be quite strenuous, especially the steep sections at the start and the final climb to the summit. It reminded us of our hike to Monte Cinto at Corsica, however this time we did manage to reach the top. You’ll need to be cautious, especially on the last part of the trail, and you may have to use your hands to scramble up the rocks.
Other Hike Options at Campo Imperatore
There are several other trails that start from the same point. While we can’t recommend them personally, as we only did the hike to the summit of Corno Grande, we can say that many families were also hiking in this area, so the other trails seem to be suitable for children as well.
Alternative Route: Cable Car to the Top
Instead of driving to the trailhead, you can also take the cable car from the Gran Sasso tourist center. For us, driving the 26 kilometers to the trailhead was simply cheaper and the road is breathtaking itself. The cable car is a good option if you’re short on time or simply do not have your own car.
